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K.V. Kurmanath

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, flanked by the Governor, Mr Sushilkumar Shinde, and the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, at the launch of the National Food for Work Programme at Aloor village in Ranga Reddy district on Sunday. - P.V. Sivakumar

Aloor , Nov. 14

THE Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, launched the National Food-for-Work Programme (NFFWP) here on Sunday, seeking to provide food-linked employment opportunities to the poor in 150 most-backward districts in the country.

A five-year prospective plan comprising district-wise, block-wise and gram panchayat-wise works that could be offered to the poor would be prepared.

Addressing a public meeting on the occasion , the Prime Minister said the programme was launched in tune with the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and would be extended further.

The Government's focus would be on generating employment opportunities in the rural areas so as to arrest migrations.

"We will improve infrastructure in villages and strengthen the Panchayat Raj institution in order to make rural areas self-reliant," Dr Manmohan Singh said.

Dr Singh, who earlier inaugurated an exhibition and interacted with school children, said it was society's responsibility to see to it that no child went to work.

Commending Magsaysay Award winner Ms Shanta Sinha's work in the area of elimination of child labour, the Prime Minister said health of the child, and not just educationwas important.

Referring to Andhra Pradesh's appeal for help in regard to completion of irrigation projects, he said the Centre would extend all possible help.

The NFFWP would mostly cover works related to water conservation, drought-proofing activities and land development. Under the programme, a minimum of 25 per cent of wages would be paid in cash and the rest as food grains. Equal wages would be paid to both sexes.

In Andhra Pradesh, the programme would be implemented in eight districts including Adilabad, Mahboobnagar, Ranga Reddy, Anantapur and Nalgonda.

Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the Chief Minister, said the State could stamp out drought only when it can utilise the Godavari water fully. Seeking the Centre's help in completing 26 irrigation projects that would cost Rs 46,000 crore, he said the Government had made a good beginning in the first six months.

More Stories on : Economy | Andhra Pradesh | Rural Development

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